The Italian Chamber of Deputies

ITALIAN CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES. CELEBRATION: EUROPEAN DAY AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY

October 10, 2008: "Today is an important occasion to remember the struggle at the United Nations for the adoption of the resolution for the Moratorium on capital punishment. We also renew the commitment by institutions and civil society to not lower our guard," Giorgio Napolitano, the President of the Italian Republic, said at Montecitorio for the European Day Against the Death Penalty, promoted by 'Hands Off Cain'.
'It is necessary to further expand the front of abolitionist countries and consolidate the results achieved in view of the definitive abolition of the death penalty,' Napolitano concluded.
In opening the celebration, President of the Chamber Gianfranco Fini said: "By joining this day I want to express the profound dedication of the Chamber of Deputies, beyond the diverse political inspirations of its components, to the battle for the universal abolition of the death penalty."
"Without doubt, the vote on December 18 represented a highly significant moment for Italy on the world stage. However we must also recognise the merit of the Italian diplomats who guided the initiative. This includes the honourable Massimo D'Alema, as well as associations like 'Hands Off Cain'."
"I believe that, like Minister Frattini recently announced, the Italian Government can promote a new resolution at the General Assembly that confirms the moratorium and aims to widen the group of abolitionist countries."
For Emma Bonino, Senate Vice President and Radical Leader, the battle against capital punishment is a "long and difficult" one, that must be conducted on more levels of Italian society. It has achieved good results, thanks also to the commitment by the institutions. It is a struggle that is only at the beginning, but it goes forward with "consistency and determination."
Bonino doesn't hide her satisfaction with the results obtained at the global level in what is a "historic battle". However, her focus is on the near future, with the "Africa campaign" and the presentation of a new resolution at the UN. "We ask the secretary general to create a special envoy for the application of the moratorium and to demand that countries that still use the death penalty abolish the state secrecy. This is because often it is impossible to know where, when, why, or with which procedures the death penalty is being applied."
Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema remembered December 18, 2007, as "a historic step in a long battle that continues", even if "in the year since the approval of this resolution there have been results."
D'Alema asked the Italian Government to present and support a new moratorium even if the global abolition of the death penalty "is a complex challenge that can't be exclusively entrusted to our diplomats. I am available to contribute." "We continue to act," D'Alema said in conclusion. "We can't be satisfied with the praise of the international community. We want the death penalty to be halted in every part of the world." (Sources: ADN, ANSA, 10/10/2008)